THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) is assisting police with inquiries into the discovery of a firearms cache that included a standard issue military rifle.
The weapons, described by police as a "significant find", were found at a property in the quiet suburb of Killermont, near Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, last Thursday.
Serious Crime Squad officers from Strathclyde Police have been examining the stash, which includes assault rifles, handguns and ammunition, and the Army yesterday confirmed that MoD police are now helping with the investigation.
An Army spokeswoman said the military was contacted by officers after one of the weapons was confirmed as an SA80 rifle – a standard issue firearm for the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
She added: "The MoD police are assisting Strathclyde Police with their inquiries into the discovery of the firearms. As investigations are ongoing, I cannot comment any further."
All weapons issued by the MoD have a serial number which can be traced to a specific unit within the armed forces.
The guns were discovered by businessman Jeff Kearns in the stables of Kessington Farmhouse, a property he rents with four other men.
The 40-year-old described the cache as "enough to wipe out a shopping centre" after he noticed the weapons stuffed into a black canvas bag in a bin.
He added: "There was a British Army SA80 rifle, two handguns, two AK47s, a shotgun and tons of [ammunition] magazines.
"I called the police and they came to inspect the guns. After that they started searching around the farmhouse.
"I have no idea who put them there; it's a mystery to me."
After Mr Kearns notified the police, more than 20 officers, including forensic teams, quickly attended and searched the farmhouse, several vehicles and nearby woodlands.
A spokesman for Strathclyde Police, which earlier described the haul as a "significant find", yesterday confirmed that inquiries are continuing.
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